About Us
About Us
Who We Are
Climb On Equipment exists to serve the needs of those that play in the mountains and work at heights. We provide trusted expertise and aim to create an inclusive experience to support patrons in their lifelong pursuit of vertical goals.
Located in the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples — Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), British Columbia — Climb On Equipment is a climbing, rescue, and work-at-height specialty retailer. We stock a huge selection of climbing gear and apparel, as well as alpine camping and work at heights equipment. We are a trusted member of the climbing community and have been providing advice and expertise with quality service since 1993.
Climb On Equipment is a great place to get help for everything you need, from finding beginner pieces of climbing gear to getting the best equipment and advice for a challenging rigging situation. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you are trying to get your hands on something specific.
Our History
The day the Climb On shop opened in 1993 it also closed, not forever or for the evening, but so that the owner could climb for a few hours before dark. Customers visited to listen to climbing folklore, select the latest in sticky rubber or swap tales while upgrading their gear. Often, a small group would be sipping beers and grin with satisfaction from the pitches climbed that day. The worn down carpet, white walls and random posters gave the shop an unpolished and authentic feel. The staff consisted of local "dirt bags", professional climbers, travellers and friends, who all shared a passion for climbing. The customers consisted of the same crowd and they would drop by to catch up on local ascents, read the latest magazine and replace the triggers in their worn out cams.
The store passed onto the next generation of adventure seeking individuals who came for the price of the inventory hanging on the walls. Climb On had become a community icon where friendships started, adventures were planned and inspiration was sought. The business relied on the expertise of the like-minded individuals who worked there, as well as the healthy and motivated individuals who climbed together, shared stoke and enjoyed a low-stress workplace. The people were as gritty and unpolished as the logo hanging above the door, and the positive, fun and stoked vibe remained constant.
Equality grew in the blossoming Squamish climbing scene and word spread, as did the shop's selection of gear until every corner of the tiny store was consumed. The process of buying technical gear relied heavily on the expertise of the staff and their knowledge of how equipment shapes experiences in the mountains.
The Evolution
The increasingly common sight of an all-female team cruising up the Squamish walls, the exploding boulder scene in the forest below and the diversity arriving at Squamish's door changed the once obscure climbing scene into the centre of Canadian rock climbing.
With an upgraded highway, Squamish was less than an hour away from Vancouver and its international airport. The accents heard around town were as varied as the ascents being completed at the crags nearby. The demand for a specialty store increased and in 2020 Climb On moved to a new location on Squamish's downtown core.
From its inception, those that worked at Climb On became part of the growing culture. Individuals with a lifetime of climbing experience, guides, route developers, athletes and those with a deep connection to both the sport and the community are, to this day, the face of Climb On. The original and organic culture within the store evolved, embracing an inclusive philosophy and welcoming every individual at every level of the sport. Climbers still drop by for beta and new shoes and the passion for climbing is still true to the heart of Climb On.
Our Staff
Climb On Equipment consists of climbing enthusiasts, gearheads, athletes, guides, mountain lovers, and specialists who are highly trained in Search and Rescue, Rope Access, Fall Protection, and Rigging Systems. If you have any questions about climbing gear or need a safety solution for your worksite, feel free to send us an email or drop by our store.
We are always on the lookout for good people to join our supportive team. If you share our passion for climbing, enjoy working with people, and would like to be part of our community, please email us a copy of your resume, with a cover letter, explaining why you would be a perfect fit for our team.
Daily Operations
Karina
Operations Manager
Karina moved to BC in 2010 after a climbing vacation to Squamish in the summer of 2009. She wanted to be closer to the coastal mountains and pursue her passions of rock climbing and adventure. Apart from Climb On, you'll find her running or biking in the lush, mossy forests, climbing and scrambling the beautiful crags and peaks and skiing above the trees.
Favourite thought: The Four C's. "I believe that the four "C's" will make any day a great day! Climbing! Coffee! Cats! Cookies!"
Siobhan
Operations & Accounting Associate
Ashley
Owner and Operator
Ashley's passion for climbing brought and kept her in Squamish. After years of climbing and connecting with the local community, she can be found almost daily in the store. She makes time for climbing in between raising her son, looking after everyone that works in the store and running in-store business operations.
Favourite quote: "It doesn't have to be fun to be fun!" —Barry Blanchard
Professional Sales
Kris
Pro Sales Manager / Rigging and Rescue Specialist
Kris was drawn to Squamish in 1998 because of his love of traditional rock routes on granite. His family enjoys the Sea to Sky's outdoor adventures all year-round. He loves to learn, and share what he learns with others through teaching and instruction. Kris has been certified as an IRATA and SPRAT Level 3 Technician, a Rope Rescue Instructor for EMCR BC, and an ACMG Rock Guide. He also instructs lift evacuation locally for the Sea to Sky Gondola. Tricky rigging challenges are his speciality, and he loves an unusual problem!
Favourite kit: Rock Exotica Aztek and Petzl Grillon
Erik
Pro Sales & Operations Associate
Erik is a dual certified Level 2 Rope Access Technician, a member of the Lift Evacuation Team for the Sea to Sky Gondola, and a Volunteer Firefighter with Squamish Fire Rescue. His first rope rescue course was in 2013 through the Justice Institute of British Columbia and has since developed his experience by working in industrial mine sites, commercial building maintenance and guiding in adventure tourism.
Favourite kit: The Petzl Rescucender
Mike
Owner and Operator
Mike has worked in the Outdoor Retail space for over 20 years, and brings a wealth of experience sourcing unique and hard to find brands for climbers and those accessing the vertical world. While Mike's experience lies on the recreational side of climbing, his expertise helps support our technical sales team in serving our customers.
Favourite kit: CAMP Goblin
Product Manager
Yuki
Product Manager
Yuki was born and raised in Japan. She started climbing in Red Rocks, Las Vegas, where she attended the university. She moved to Squamish after university and it has been her home since then. She loves crack climbing and alpine missions in the summertime. During the winter, you can find her skiing in the backcountry or training in the gym.
Favourite gear: Black Totem Cam
Tyrone
Product Manager
Marketing
Eric
Marketing Manager
Eric was born in the UK and chased winter seasons before discovering climbing. He sometimes guides, sometimes skis, sometimes looks for new routes but is always stoked to get out climbing. He has made Squamish home with his family and not so small, puppy dog.
Favourite route: Smoke and Mirrors
Alex
Media Production
Alex first started climbing in the early 90's at the age of 5, with the enthusiastic support of his father. Throughout his youth, he was able to develop as a climber with strong mentorship from local climbers and guides. Not wanting to turn the pure act of climbing into a career, Alex avoided the natural path of becoming a guide and instead opted to combine a formal education in Cinematography, with his climbing skill, where he has now shaped a successful career creating award-winning photos and videos of mountain adventures.
Favourite gear: Petzl Nomic
Katy
Owner and Operator
Katy's climbing career started in the early 90's building an impressive resume that ranges from alpine FA, to ice, to rock guide, to hard crack and sport lines. She is often one half of an all female climbing team and always one half of a parenting team. Katy is the head buyer at Climb On and curates the products in our store and online.
Favourite gear: Black Diamond Ultralight C4
